Most of us know that in 1952, Topps came out with what turned
out to be one of the greatest baseball card sets
of all time. You probably also know that a pack of 5 of these cards sold for 5 cents.
So what did 5 cents amount to in 1952? The US Department of Commerce
estimated the average American family
had an income of approximately $3,900.00 in 1952. Here are some typical cost of
items in 1952.

Also in 1952, Austrian candy maker of PEZ makes it's debut in
America with peppermint candies.

Most candy items sold for 5
cents in 1952.
PEZ sold the dispenser and 2 packs of
peppermint refills for 25 cents.
They would shortly add flavored candy and put character heads on their
dispensers

In 1952:

1952 was a leap year.

Harry Truman was President of the United States. Dwight
Eisenhower was elected President and Dick Nixon Vice-President
in November of '52
and Ike would start his Presidency in 1953.

King George VI of England died, and on February 6, 1952 his daughter Elizabeth
was made
Queen of England.
Queen Elizabeth II is still the Queen of England, making her the 2nd
longest
reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom.

Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister in 1952.

Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet Union. Fulgencio Batista took
power in Cuba. In Egypt, Abdul Nasser
led a military coup overthrowing King Farouk.

Vincent Auriol was President of France. Konrad Adenauer was
Chancellor of West Germany.

As the Korean War continued, Ted Williams was activated from the reserves and
would serve until 1954.

The Mau Mau rebellion began in Kenya and Greece and Turkey Joined NATO.

A wave of anti-communism, known as "McCarthyism" swept the
country. The Cincinnati Reds would
temporarily change their names to the Redlegs because of these events.

In boxing, Jersey Joe Walcott defeated Ezzard Charles on June
5, 1952 in a 15 round decision to become
heavyweight champion. Rocky Marciano knocked out Walcott on September 23, 1952
to become theheavyweight champion.

In the 1952 Academy Awards, Best Film went to "An American in
Paris", Best Actor to Humphrey Bogart
for "The African Queen", Best Actress to Vivian Leigh for "A Streetcar Named
Desire".

Movies released in 1952 included "The Greatest Show on Earth",
The Quiet Man", "High Noon",
"Come Back, Little Sheba", "Springfield Rifle" and "Viva Zapata".

TV shows included: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Art Linkletter's House Party,
I've Got a Secret,
The Burns and Allen Show, Amos and Andy, Dragnet,
Our Miss Brooks, The Groucho Marx Show, and
Howdy Doody.
Popular serials included Search for Tomorrow and The Guiding Light.

The "Superman" TV show made it's debut on September 19, 1952

Click to view a short episode of the first Superman TV show
"Superman on Earth"
which aired on September 19,
1952.

Songs included "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole, "The Glow
Worm" by the Mills Brothers, "A Guy is a Guy"
by Doris Day, "Tenderly" by Rosemary Clooney, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause"
by Jimmy Boyd,
"Heart and Soul" by the Four Aces,, "Lawdy Miss
Clawdy" by Lloyd Price,"Jambalaya" by Hank Williams
and "High Noon" by Frankie Laine.

Click on left arrow for audio)

Last but not least, in 1952 you could buy the Magnavox Wedgwood
TV-Phonograph-Radio pictured below
for $595.00
Screen shows Jackie Robinson HR in 1952 All Star Game.